- Contacting a Detainee
- Legal & Case Information
- Hours of Visitation
- Sending Items to Detainees
- Press & Media
- FOIA
- Feedback or Complaints
If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (619) 671-8700 between the hours of Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. When you call, please have the individual’s biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.
Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee to leave an urgent message, you must call (619) 671-8700 and leave the detainee’s full name, alien registration number and your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.
This facility has tablets. You can access information on how to send a non-confidential message at: www.gettingout.com.
Immigration Court
For information about a matter before the immigration court, you may call 1-800-898-7180 to speak with them directly. Applications for relief from removal and other applications requested by the immigration judge must be filed directly with the immigration court.
Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
For information about a matter before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), you may call (703) 605-1007 where you can obtain automated information or speak with a live representative during office hours.
Click the link for a list of pro bono representatives nationwide who might be able to assist you.
To Post a Delivery Bond
Delivery bonds are posted when a person has been taken into ICE custody and placed into removal proceedings while in the United States. The person posting the bond must show proof of identity (valid Government-issued photo identification, passport, military ID, LPR card, driver’s license, etc.). This person (the obligor) is responsible for ensuring that the alien presents them self before an officer or representative of this agency whenever a request is made.
Bonds for aliens detained by ICE may be posted at ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nationwide, Monday through Friday (except public holidays) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., local time. For a list of ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nearest you or for bond information, click here. You must have the last name of the detainee and alien registration number before calling. Acceptable forms of payment to post a bond are money orders, cashier’s checks or certified checks. For all bonds $10,000 and over, the only accepted method of payment is a single cashier or certified check. Payments must be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” or “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
Submitting a G-28
G-28s should be submitted to the Field Office or facility where your client is detained or, for non-detained, to the Field Office where the docket is located. For a general list of Field Office Outreach email addresses, visit the ERO Field Office contact page.
Sending Non-Confidential Messages to Detained Noncitizens
This facility has tablets. You can access information on how to send a non-confidential message at: www.gettingout.com
Other Legal Access Related Communications
Attorneys can submit a G-28 form to OMDC-G28@ice.dhs.gov Deportation Officers can be reached at Otay Mesa Detention Center duty line at (619) 661-3823. Please note that this mailbox does not accept applications for Stay of Removal or Case Appeals. OMDC does not have an email address to request case information.
Contacting the Deportation Officer
To ascertain the identity of your client’s Deportation Officer, contact the Otay Mesa Detention Center (OMDC) to obtain that information at OMDC Duty line (619) 661-3823. Please note that a G-28 must be on file for any information to be disclosed.
Friends and Family Visits
Currently there are no contact or social video visit for family & friends due to the pandemic. See the schedules below for pre-pandemic hours.
Video Visitation seven days a week
| Time | A060 | C1 | D | E | F063 | J060 | N060 | Q | R | T | V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | C | D | E | F | G | M | Q | ||||
| 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. | B | C | D | E | Med | H | L | R | T | ||
| 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | A | D | E | J | K | N/P | V |
Contact Visitation Schedule and Procedures (ICE Only)
| Time | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| 7 a.m. - 8 a.m. | Medical | D |
| 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | M | N |
| 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | J | p |
| 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. | K | L |
| 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. | C-1 | |
| 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. | A | C-2 |
| 4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. | G | F |
| 6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. | E | H |
Attorney Visits
Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours:
Monday – Sunday from 8:15 a.m.. to 9:30 p.m.
A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee’s responsibility to contact them for an appointment.
Legal Calls or Video Teleconferencing
Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to send messages and video calls via Electronic Talton Tablets. Electronic Talton tablets are available to all ICE detainees inside the housing units. Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to video teleconferencing during visitation hours Monday - Sunday from 8:15 a.m.. to 9:30 p.m. Legal representatives can request for Virtual Attorney Visitation Program by email to OMDCLegalVisit@corecivic.com request for virtual meetings will require 24-hour advance notice and will be scheduled in 30 to 60-minute increments. Per the standards, the legal representatives will be required to appropriate identification, such as a bar card from any state, or other available documentation demonstrating bar membership, as is required for in-person visits. Contract staff will coordinate and supervise virtual attorney visits and manage schedule.
Consular Visits
Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for this facility can be reached at Otay Mesa Detention Center Duty line (619) 661-3823.
Clergy Visits
Clergy may visit detainees at any time but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain’s Office.
Visiting Restrictions
- All family or other social visits are non-contact.
- No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
- If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.
- All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.
- Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
- Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.
Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)
All individuals requesting admittance to the facility, or the visitation area are subject to a pat-down search of their person, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Individuals refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the secure areas of this facility.
Letters sent to detainees must include the last four digits of the detainee’s A-number (File Number), plus the sender’s name and address. To enhance the safety of the facility, all incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. The mail is not read upon opening, only inspected by the delivering officer. Detainees may send mail from the facility. Detainees may seal their outgoing letters and place them in the provided receptacle. All incoming mail will be delivered to the detainee, and outgoing mail will be routed to the proper postal office within 24 hours of receipt by facility staff. A mail pick-up and delivery schedule is posted in all housing units.
Detainees are allowed to purchase stamps for use. Generally, there is no limit to the amount of correspondence detainees may send at their own expense. Indigent detainees (those who have no means of financial support and no funds in their facility account) will be provided postage allowance at government expense.
When detainees depart the facility or are transferred to another facility, only their legal mail will be forwarded to them. General correspondence will be endorsed "Return to Sender" and returned to the post office.
If detainees receive funds in the mail, they will be taken to the processing area for the money to be placed into their account. The processing officer will provide a receipt for all funds received. Detainees are cautioned not to have cash sent to them in the mail.
A detainee may receive items that are determined to be of necessity for the sole purpose of travel or release from agency custody with approval of the ICE Deportation Officer. Before sending packages to detainees: Detainee is required to submit a Package Authorization Form to OMDC CoreCivic’s Unit Management, and form is required to be approved by ICE. Before sending packages to the detainees.
Note that detainees being removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage. If a detainee does not have such baggage, such luggage can be sent/delivered after receiving approval from Supervisory Deportation Officer. Please be advised that for security reasons, no electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) will be accepted.
The facility has a responsibility to protect the privacy and other rights of detainees and members of the staff. Therefore, interviews will be regulated to ensure the orderly and safe operation of the facility. Ordinarily, live television or radio interviews will not be permitted in the facility. For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov.
Personal Interviews
A news media representative who desires to conduct an interview with a detainee must apply in writing. All media requests should be submitted through ICE OPA at ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov of Enforcement and Removal Operations, indicating familiarity with an agreement to comply with the rules and regulations of the facility as provided to that person by staff.
Detainee Consent
A detainee has the right not to be interviewed, photographed, or recorded by the media. Before interviewing, photographing, or recording the voice of a detainee, a visiting representative of the media must obtain written permission from that individual.
All FOIA and Privacy Act requests must be submitted on form G-639 (Freedom of Information / Privacy Act Request) or in letter format. All requests must contain the original, notarized signature of the subject in question. Please complete the form G-639 thoroughly and if writing a letter, be sure to include the full name, any other names used, date of birth, place of birth, A-number of the alien you are seeking information about, as well as your full name, address, and telephone number, so that we may contact you if we have any questions.
Mail your FOIA or Privacy Act request to:
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Freedom of Information Act Office
800 North Capitol Street, NW, Room 585
Washington, D.C. 20536
Phone: 1 (866) 633-1182
Email: ICE-FOIA@dhs.gov
We strive to provide quality service to people in our custody, their family, friends, and to their official representatives. If you believe that we have not lived up to this commitment, we would like to know. If we have met or exceeded your expectations, please let us know that as well. To comment on the services provided at this office, please write to:
Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
880 Front Street #2242
San Diego, CA 92101
If you feel that an ICE employee or contract services employee mistreated you and wish to make a complaint of misconduct, you may:
Contact the Field Office Director:
Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
880 Front Street #2242
San Diego, CA 92101
Write the Office of Professional Responsibility:
Director, Office of Professional Responsibility
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
500 12th Street, SW
Suite 1049
Mailstop 5099
Washington, DC 20536-5005
Contact the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center (ICC):
1-833-4ICE-OPR
ICEOPRIntake@ice.dhs.gov
You may also contact the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General:
DHS Office of Inspector General
Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600
Washington, DC 20528
Call: 1-800-323-8603
Fax: 202-254-4292
DHSOIGHOTLINE@DHS.GOV